State of the Library 2011

It's that time of year again to reflect on the state of the library in 2011.  It was a busy year that saw a lot of growth and change occur to the library.  Yes, I said growth despite dwindling staff and budget!  I figure it's all about making do with what you have.  Ok, not just making do... making great. 

1. January 2011 was an exciting time in the library as we hosted our first annual Poetry Out Loud competition. The event was supported by 24 student participants and over 70 audience members. It was a fantastic night of poetry recitation, delightful snacks, and artistic celebration.
2. In honor of National Poetry Month, April was dedicated to the reading, reciting, and artistically depicting poetry.  A poem-a-day was posted to the ELCOHSLIBRARY Twitter feed as well as on the library wiki.  Students and visitors to the library could help themselves to Pocket Poems found hanging from the branches of our mini poetry trees placed throughout the library.  We also created a virtual gallery as well as an in-house gallery of FREE VERSE PROJECT participant work.  Students were asked to choose a verse of poetry and represent the verse using photography.  
3. Through the generosity of individuals wanting to make a difference in education, we were fortunate to have our first Donors Choose project fully funded.  This project allowed for 2 Kodak Flip Video Cameras to be cataloged and circulated for student use.  Check out our current Donors Choose project HERE!  Please consider donating to this wonderful project and support our students and the love of reading.
4. The library experienced a mini-makeover that has had a powerful impact on the climate of the room.  Two large rows of bookshelves were removed in order to expose the beautiful picture window located at the front of the library.  Where did all of the books go?  They were simply consolidated into the remaining bookshelves!  While it was quite the task to physically re-shelve almost 2000 books, the result is well worth it!  An additional seating area and coffee table were added to create another space for reading and relaxation.  The light that now enters the library creates a warm and inviting atmosphere.
5.  2 new database subscriptions were purchased in order to provide students with access to better, more reliable content for research and projects.  ProQuest eLibrary and SIRS Issues Researcher have allowed students to make better informed decisions about the types of research material they view and use.  The quality of research has improved as students recognize differences between a variety of sources.
6. Collaboration with teachers continues to increase as does library usage.  More and more teachers and students are utilizing the library for various needs, making it a hub for learning, reading, researching, and communicating.
7. In September, the library went dark as we recognized and supported Banned Books Week.  This week serves to remind us of the pitfalls associated with censorship and celebrates our freedom to read.
8. The library served as the backdrop for Mrs. Sara Velazquez's students as they conducted their "Ugly Fashion Show".  Runway, spotlights, and music served to highlight the students as they demonstrated their use of Spanish vocabulary and strutted their incredible styles on the catwalk!
9. Student created book trailers were added to the library wiki in order to make reading selections a little bit more exciting and a lot more simple.  The book trailer initiative called for students to read a book and create a 1 minute book trailer using a web 2.0 movie maker.  All books are now tagged with a QR code linking patrons directly to the trailer for each book.  Not sure what book to select next?  Scan the QR code on the book and watch the trailer to see if it's the book for you!
10. More and more resources become available on a daily basis. Keeping track of them all can be daunting.  In order to fuel student creativity and expand their horizons into the world of technology tools, a brand new tool allows students to review various web 2.0 tools with the simple click of a button.  Visit ELCOHSLIBRARY PEARLTREES to see what tools will work for you!
11. The library went social in 2011, utilizing the popular social networking tool Twitter.  The library feed is used to update students on current library happenings, share new resources, and develop a direct line of communication with all patrons.  Follow ELCOHSLIBRARY on Twitter for the most up-to-date library information.
12. The ELCO High School Library now provides access to resources 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!  Yep!  You can now conduct research from any room in the building, the comfort of your own home, or while standing on a street corner!  EXCITING STUFF!  All you have to do is visit the ELCO LIBRARY WIKI for access points to databases, online materials, and a variety of other resources.  

As you can see, the library is a thriving hot spot of activity with many more exciting plans for 2012.  Stay tuned for future posts about library events, new resources, and new books.  And remember... the library is the heart of the high school, so 

LOVE YOUR LIBRARY!

Dragging My Feet

Usually when it comes to technology, I'm not the person making excuses for why something won't work, complaining about why I don't have time to be bothered, or shuddering at the constant need to keep up with change.  On the contrary, I am quite the opposite of said behaviors.  If something isn't working the way I believe it is supposed to work, I find a way.  I stay up late (too late) investigating all of the new resources popping up each day.  I LOVE the evolution of technology and seek out the newest tools and updates.  

SO WHY AM I FINDING IT SO DIFFICULT TO GET MOVING WITH EBOOKS?

Truly, what is the issue?  I wish I knew!  The Nooks are charged, barcoded, and ready for action.  People are waiting to check them out.  And yet... I'm dragging my feet.  I wish I could say that it was difficult to download books - it's not.  I wish I could say that nobody is interested in reading ebooks - they are.  I wish I could say... I can't come up with one good reason why I haven't set the Nooks free.


I don't really believe in New Year's resolutions and don't make them in my personal life.  However, professionally, an intervention is needed.  Therefore, I resolve to jump feet first into downloading high interest ebooks and circulating the Nooks.


I have set a goal to have the 5 Library Nooks ready for circulation by the start of the new semester.  This deadline gives me approximately 2 weeks to get my act together and embrace the ebook revolution.

HOLD ME TO IT, PEOPLE!  Don't let me off the hook!

Can you believe it's the final week of school before Christmas break?  Where has the time gone?  It hit me this morning when I realized that our Poetry Out Loud competition is only 3 weeks away.  I have been hearing bits and pieces about students practicing and preparing for their recitations.  I'm very excited to see what great performances are delivered.  Last year's event was such a success!  I hope this year's competition is just as fantastic!

Here are some highlights to anticipate:

• AWESOME STUDENT RECITATIONS!
• Great poetry!
• Yummy snacks!
• Eclectic music!
• A cool vibe!

Don't miss out on a great night of poetry and culture!  

You still have time to register.  Registration forms are available in the library and on the library wiki.  Return your form to me in the library by Friday!  You can also come and support the performers if participating isn't your thing!

Thursday, January 5

6:30 pm

High School Library!

The Flying V

It's that time of year when the birds are flying south for the winter.  The classic flying V formation of the migration to warmer climates has inspired me to consider my own sort of migration.  No, I'm not planning on leaving the brisk winter season of Central PA.  But I am contemplating moving my blog to a new blog host and the library wiki to a different platform all together.  What's the big deal, you might ask?  Well, I've spent a lot of time developing the wiki for my library.  Hours have been dedicated to designing, redesigning, adding, deleting, moving, and editing content.  I finally have it to the point (after a year and a half) in which I can actually whisper that I might just like the way it looks and what it has to offer to the school community.  So why change what doesn't appear to be broken?  That's the question I asked a group of REALLY SMART PEOPLE!  And now I find myself pondering the idea of a big migration which would lead me away from wiki world into a new world of content curation.  As for my blog - BORING!  I'm not happy with its design and want to make a more concerted effort at faithfully posting my musings and ramblings.  

Ok, you're probably still deliberating over my bird flying south analogy.  Stay with me... it's all about the flying V!  Remember learning about why the birds fly in the V?  To keep it simple, it's just plain easier to make the trip together rather than go it alone.  There it is, folks.  My connection.  I have discovered that being an educator is much easier when collaborating with others rather than trying to figure everything out on my own.  

Flashback... I said I posed a question to a group of REALLY SMART PEOPLE.  I asked my fellow librarians in this great state of PA for their insight and was thrilled to have so many of them respond with exceptional information.   I immediately realized that I am part of a wonderful network of people who are REALLY SMART!  These librarians make my daily life as a librarian so much easier because they are willing to share what they know and help each other out whenever the need arises.

So... will I migrate to a new blog?  Will I migrate from a wiki to another resource?  I'm not quite sure yet. But what I do know is that I'm "flying in a V" with some really great people who make these decisions a little bit easier to navigate!

A Thankful Librarian

It's almost here... Thanksgiving break!  I have so much to be thankful for in my personal life, but what about professionally?  Yep, professionally as well.  I LOVE WHAT I DO!  Growing up, I never imagined myself as a librarian.  I ALWAYS had the career goal of being an English teacher.  For 11 years, I taught English in the traditional sense of literature and writing.  When I transitioned to the library last year, I feared I would lose touch with the very things that I loved the most about my subject area... sharing great pieces of literature and developing the skills of young writers. Thankfully, I still have the opportunity, on a daily basis, to share with students elements of literature and to assist students in growing as writers.  In addition, there are so many other reasons to be thankful.

• I am thankful for my colleagues who support my efforts to bring 21st century learning to our students.
• I am thankful for the students who have discovered the library and realize it is a welcoming environment with many resources available to them.
• I am thankful for abundance of free resources available that make building a 21st century library possible despite difficult economic times.
• I am thankful for my PLN that continually inspires me to continue to strive for change and advancement in the library and the way we educate our students.
• I am thankful for the opportunity to do what I love!

In this season of giving thanks, what are you thankful for?

About 2 months ago, I began a new venture called The Friday Find.  I wanted a simply way to share all of the wonderful tools that are shared with me through my PLN and other resources. 

I decided to create a wikispace for the sole purpose of  posting and linking web 2.0 resources.  The design of the wiki is simplistic - intentionally so.  I want to give people a fighting chance when evaluating new tools.  So often, I venture onto websites that contain hundreds of links to new tools.  For someone who counts every minute of each day, these types of websites can be overwhelming and defeating.  The Friday Find is organized by posting date. Each resource is linked for easy access.  And only 3 resources are posted each week.  Why 3?  3 seems to be  a reasonable amount when attempting to quickly assess the usefulness of a resource.  As mentioned earlier, many sites boast about having lists of the 50 newest tools, or the 100 best apps, or the 30 greatest resources...   Agh!  Too much, too much, too much.  Most teachers are only looking for one or two great tools to be incorporated into a unit / marking period / semester.  I want to encourage the use of new tools, so 3 it is!

The Friday Find includes resources to be used for a variety of purposes.  Some of the resources are new on the web 2.0 scene while others are oldies but goodies.  All of the tools are ones that I have taken the time to test and evaluate (using my judgement - not predetermined criteria).  There is no sense in posting a tool that is glitchy or destined to send a user down a path of failure.  It is my goal to share great tools that others will find useful. 

If you are looking for a great new tool or are simply curious... visit The Friday Find!

Not Mine...YOURS!

Yesterday, while hectic and crazy, was one of the best days I've had in the library this year.  Every period was filled with research, collaboration, projects, and a great deal of productivity.  And yet, my absolute favorite part of the entire day was watching the faces of students when they realized that all of the new book purchases came from their recommendations lists.  To see their eyes light up as they saw the names of authors they love and the titles of books from series they enjoy, validated everything I strive to do in the library.  More importantly, the students now feel a sense of ownership for their library.  I LOVE IT!

It's important to give our students opportunities to take the lead and make decisions.  I know... giving up control is difficult, but absolutely necessary if we truly want to prepare our students for the world that awaits them when they leave the safety of our schools.  No amount of promotional paraphernalia can produce the results that I saw from the students when they realized their voices had been heard and their choices mattered.  Isn't this what education is supposed to be about?

Not only does our library have new and exciting titles specifically recommended/requested by students, but also the students now see the library as theirs, not mine.  It's a great day to be in the library.  Come check it out!